How High Should You Mount Your TV

TV height is a very important issue when determining where to locate your TV, whether you’re using the included stand or mounting it on the wall. In addition to considering room design and accommodating furniture, viewing comfort should be high on the priority list of things to consider.

You Should Locate Your TV at the Right Height

Viewing comfort is an important factor when finding the optimal TV height because we spend so much time watching our favorite shows. According to the New York Daily News, the average American watches 5 hours of television per day. With that much time in front of the TV it should be comfortable to avoid needing extra visits to the chiropractor. When you go to the movie theater do you choose the front row seats or do you choose to sit a little further back and higher up? If you spend an extended period of time looking up too high you’re likely to get neck and back pains and are not likely to enjoy your stories on your brand new flat-panel.

What is the Best TV Height

Unfortunately there is not a one size fits all rule for the optimal tv height for those looking for a concrete answer and a specific measurement. The best TV height can be somewhat subjective and there is no easy answer. Most video professionals agree that the optimal height for the optimal viewing experience is to locate the center of the screen at the same height as your eyes when seated. The average height of your eyes when seated is 42″, assuming an 18″ sofa and 24″ from the seat to your eyes. If you center a 70″ TV at 42″, the bottom of the TV will be 25″ off the floor for optimal viewing. This may compete with room design, which is another important consideration. Depending on personal preference it may be ok to raise the TV a little. If you lean back while watching TV you may raise the TV a little more.

How High is Too High to Mount a TV

People often want to mount their TVs higher to blend with artwork in the room and for a better room aesthetic. That’s great, but art is often mounted for ideal viewing when standing, not when sitting. The maximum height for a TV will vary based on seating height and viewing distance. The Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers requires a viewing angle of less than 35° from the viewer to the top of the screen. You should attempt to mount your TV in the most comfortable position possible, which is likely well below the maximum 35° viewing angle. The sweet spot for the TV height in your room will depend on a few considerations:

seating height, eg. Sofa vs bar seating height

seating angle, eg. Do you sit back which raises our field of vision or do you sit more upright which would move your field of vision lower

viewing postire and personal comfort varies

Additional considerations for TV height

how much time is spent watching TV

use of the room, eg is this a dedicated viewing space or a formal living space

design preferences and room aesthetics

furniture being used, eg the TV will go in an existing entertainment center

How to Find the TV Height Sweet Spot

To find your sweet spot we recommend sitting in your room and normally looking at where you want to mount your TV in the same posture as you would watch TV. Where do you feel comfortable watching? I recommend using painters tape to tape an outline of the TV at the desired height or cutting out a piece of the TV box that is the size of the TV to locate the most comfortable height. It’s up to you if you want to concede viewing comfort for room aesthetics, but this technique will at least help find the most comfortable TV height for your room.

What Can You Do to Make a Higher TV Position More Comfortable

If you really want to mount your TV above your fireplace or high on the wall even though you know it isn’t comfortable you still have options. First, consider a tilting mount which will reduce glare and allow you to watch more straight on, refusing distortion. We recommend a VideoSecu 23″-75″ tilting mount because it’s a cost-effective and easy to install tilting mount. Consider different seating that would allow you to lean back, which will naturally raise your field of vision. This is one of SMPTE’s recommendations when building movie theaters as well. If a lazy boy is not in your future, consider locating seating further away from the TV which will reduce the viewing angle. Our TV viewing distance calculator can help you find your viewing distance range for your TV size to help determine how far back you can move your seating position.

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